When tourists think about visiting Florida, two things immediately come to mind; white sandy beaches and theme parks. While nature has taken care of the former, wealthy corporations have provided the latter. One day you can soak up rays on one of Siesta Key’s famous beaches, and the next day you can immerse yourself in magical lands (along with tens of thousands of other patrons). If you are brave enough to tackle the crowds (and the prices) this summer, there are plenty of rides and attractions that will surely delight children of all ages at one of these Florida theme parks.
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us
Universal consists of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks as well as the Volcano Bay water theme park, Universal CityWalk (a night-time entertainment complex located near the two theme parks), and a number of themed hotels.
If you have kids, ten or older, they will probably get more enjoyment out of Universal than Walt Disney World. The rides are more adventurous and will appeal to those older children and adults. You won’t find the sea of baby strollers at Universal either as you will at one of the Disney parks. One of the best attractions is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in both parks.
While not quite as crowded as the Disney parks, attendance at the Universal parks can get quite heavy during the summer months. The Orlando temperatures get hot and there will be a daily chance of rain showers.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
Disney has four individual theme parks; the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. In addition, the resort also features Disney Springs, a 120-acre outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area. The resort also contains numerous hotels in its 43-square-mile complex.
In addition, Disney World has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, although Blizzard Beach continues to be closed at the time of this writing.
The Magic Kingdom Park is the favorite of children and it is also the #1 most visited theme park in the world. There are a lot of legendary attractions here like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, etc. During the summer months, the crowds can be heavy and the Florida sun is hot, so make sure you wear appropriate clothing and stay hydrated.
SeaWorld operates SeaWorld and Aquatica water park in Orlando, as well as the Busch Gardens theme park and Adventure Island water park in Tampa.
SeaWorld is much more than just an aquarium, with four roller coasters, a Sky Tower, and rides for children and adults. There are, of course, animal experiences as well with an emphasis on ocean preservation.
Busch Gardens is a 335-acre African-centered animal theme park. It has many attractions, thrill rides, and kiddie rides as well. For those not wanting to travel to Orlando, this is a great theme park option that will please all ages.
https://www.legoland.com/florida/
Legoland, in Winter Haven, consists of the Legoland theme park, the new Peppa Pig theme park, the Legoland water park, as well as three themed hotels.
If you have little ones, this is a great alternative to the Disney parks. With over 50 rides, shows and attractions, smaller children, ages 2-12, and their parents will have plenty to do all day.
If you are planning to check out one or more theme parks while you stay in Florida this summer, we recommend visiting their websites and plan ahead so you know which theme park is right for your family and what to expect.
One last piece of advice; schedule a rest day after your day at a theme park. A day at one of these parks will be lots of fun, but they can also be exhausting and consist of a lot of walking. The last thing you want to do is wake up early the next day and catch a flight home. You will thank us later.
